PEORIA, Ill. – A year ago, Tennessee Tech saw its season come to a close at the hands of Southern Indiana. Heartbroken, the Golden Eagles waited for the opportunity to take the Screaming Eagles on once again.

 

After USI dropped a tough 4-1 decision to Eastern Illinois, the matchup presented itself and pitcher Emily York wasn't going to miss the opportunity.

 

After reclaiming the lead in the bottom of the sixth, York continued to deal, coaxing a pair of groundouts to Jailynn Paderez at third, saw a single into right field, then got the final batter to fly out to Alina Schlageter for the final out to take a 2-1 victory over USI.

 

Tech (21-34) will get a rematch with Southeast Missouri on Friday morning at 11 a.m. The winner will advance to the elimination bracket final at 4 p.m. with the loser calling it a season.

 

York improved to 11-9 on the season, going the distance as she allowed one run on seven hits, walking one and striking out four. Her counterpart in the circle, USI's Josie Newman threw six innings, allowing two runs on nine hits, walking one and striking out three.

 

Schlageter was 2-for-2 at the plate, while Ella Bishop was 2-for-3 with the go-ahead RBI in the sixth. 

 

Tech got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first as Olivia Evans singled up the middle, stole second and came home on Abbee Klinefelter's double to left center.

 

In the top of the second, USI threatened with a double, a single and a walk to load the bases with no one out. The Tech defense was unfazed – York struck out a pair and a pop-up to Bishop ended the rally before it could begin.

 

The next three innings were quiet on the scoreboard with no one scoring. USI stranded one in the third and fifth with Schlageter making an incredible sliding catch to get out of the fourth.

 

Tech had an opportunity in the fourth with two down. Makayli Harris drew a walk and Schlageter singled to right. Bishop followed up with a single up the middle, but the Screaming Eagles got out of the jam with a fielder's choice at third.

 

Southern Indiana ended the shutout in the top of the fifth. With one down, Caroline Stapleton singled through the left side. With a liner for the second out, USI got back-to-back singles from Sydney Long and Jordan Mackey to bring Stapleton home to tie the game.

 

Tech retook the lead in the sixth as Paderez led off with a single and Julie Martin came in to run.Harris put down an intended sacrifice bunt, but turned it into a single as no play could be made. Schalgeter bunted the pair over, then Bishop eyed a single through the left side to bring Martin home and set up the final showdown in the seventh.